Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

No disclosures or whipping declarations were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel held on 23 July 2018.

The minutes of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel held on 23 July 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Panel has invited representatives from West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and The Springboard Project to help inform their investigation.

Both Councillor Richard Burrett and a representative from the County Council have been invited to offer views on education, skills and associated employment in West Sussex and to understand the challenges the services face – now and in the future, together with the provision of initiatives and support currently being provided.

The Springboard Project has also been invited as one of the providers for disabled children, young people and families in the area to provide information on the current challenges, together with possible solutions.

Whilst the individuals named above identifies those witnesses anticipated to speak at the meeting, this may change subject to availability and, at the discretion of the Chair. Further witnesses may be called in addition or instead of those listed above should they be unavailable.

The Chair provided some background information on the Panel and then witnesses were asked to offer views on education, skills and associated employment in West Sussex and to understand the challenges the services face – now and in the future, together with the provision of initiatives and support currently being provided.

Councillor Richard Burrett (Cabinet Member for Education and Skills) and Mark Jenner (Head of School Effectiveness) from West Sussex County Council updated the Panel that:

·         A new curriculum was introduced in 2014 and initially not all schools were prepared for the changes.  However there have since been amendments in teaching styles and skills, principally in reading, writing and maths leading to a noticeable difference in performance, particularly in reading.

·         The draft school effectiveness strategy had been out for consultation to be approved by the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.

·         There was an ambition to achieve more for Crawley schools. The aspiration was that by 2022, West Sussex will be one of the top 25% of local authorities nationally for the quality and provision of learning across all age groups and abilities.

·         In terms of the proportion of children eligible for free school meals attending a good or outstanding schools (state funded secondary), Crawley was just one school away from its 100% target.

·         The data for Crawley KS2 disadvantaged pupils shows improvement over 3 years (2016-2018), a distinct narrowing in the national gap figures over the years (29.5, 25.3, 17.9).

·         KS4 figures were currently outstanding as GCSE data was currently being prepared but can be provided to the Panel later in the year.

During the discussion the following views were expressed:

·         It was acknowledged there were no formal mechanisms for monitoring or working with academies. It was noted there were differences in the relationship with academies, as there was with performance, as too with LEA schools. However any issues can be raised with the regional schools commissioner.

·         Some schools receiving lower Ofsted ratings were required to become academies. It was important to observe the reason for the transition and acknowledge that some schools had taken the decision themselves.

·         There was recognition that schools were improving. They need confidence to achieve a good rating, then maintain this rating and improve further to outstanding. All schools have an aspiration to be good or better.

·         With regards to parental preference or choice, it was thought there may be a need to alert parents as to all the options for each school.

·         There was recognition that schools try hard to publicise free school meals as this benefits both pupils and schools. Schools receive additional funding from the government for each child registered for free school meals.

·         In terms of exclusion data, it was confirmed that West Sussex data was proportionate with the national data. Maintaining children in education was key and it was questioned if resources could be involved at an earlier stage. It was acknowledged that it was a myth that high level exclusion rates resulted in low Ofsted ratings. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive any relevant updates/information from Officers and Panel Members, including additional information required to advance the forthcoming meetings.

To include:

a)     Update on consultation with Head Teachers.

b)     What additional information the Panel requires to help progress or complete the review.

c)     Any further evidence and research to be conducted.

d)     3 October meeting is planned to finalise recommendations and determine whether the Panel is ready for a final report to be drafted for submission to a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and, if so, to agree how this report should be prepared.

The Chair updated Panel Members on work that had been recently been undertaken:

·        Head Teachers had been consulted upon with regards to seeking views on the Draft School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-2022, although responses had been low.

·        Information on apprenticeships within the council had been circulated to Panel Members following the last meeting.

Following the comprehensive witness sessions and following actions points, it was agreed that it was necessary to obtain further evidence as documented and discussed.  To include:

1.         That the Chair consult the appendices attached to the Draft School Effectiveness Strategy regarding the consultation and school comments.

2.         That the Chair contact WSCC to obtain data in relation to gender, KS4, progress 8, use of English as additional language and career advice.

3.         It was queried whether further information could be obtained regarding the Social Mobility Foundation in relation to the council potentially becoming a member.

To agree any recommendations from this meeting to be included into the draft report.

Following the comprehensive witness sessions and following actions points, it was agreed:

RESOLVED

1.         That further promotion should take place with regards to free school meals as this benefits both pupils and schools. Schools receive additional funding from the government for each child registered for free school meals.

2.         That the Council investigate becoming a Social Mobility Employer through the Social Mobility Foundation.

3.         That the Council request WSCC to further consider that the Alternative Provision service continues past the age of 16.

4.         That the Council request WSCC to further consider that the Access and Exclusion Team resources could be involved at an earlier stage.